The diamond grinding trial report aimed at reducing Pacific Highway noise for Valla residents has been released but Valla's Lori Warren says even as a lay person, there seem to be a number of inconsistencies.
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Lori said variable readings from the control site, which should have been most stable, mean it is difficult to trust the results from the three other test sites.
"If there are changes happening in the control site, then where is your base line to measure the results from the other sites?" Lori said.
The report did mention weather was another variable that affected the results.
"This has been such a long process - the grind was done last September and the noise measurement last November ... and here we are so many months later and this is released without any mention of the community survey results, which Roads and Maritime Service (RMS) continually told us they were waiting for.
"The report concluded that car noise has reduced and I can accept that but it is extremely variable for trucks, showing not a great deal of improvement ... the issue all along has been the trucks!
"Plus, the measurements were taken during the day and the issue is the truck noise at night, when truck movements are at their greatest.
"It's a joke - the report concludes the slight change in noise means its all fine, job done and there is no need for any more noise mitigation."
Lori was also critical of the lack of response to the independent Tumney Noise report that residents requested and sent to the RMS for review.
"We sent that to them in February - and still nothing."
Residents have sent the noise report to Mr Tumney for review.
The Guardian News put these and other questions to the RMS, asking particularly for a response to the Tumney Report.
The following answer was received from Roads and Maritime Services Northern Region Director, Anna Andrews:
"The recent trial was carried out to determine if pavement grinding reduces road surface noise. The results identified this method was effective in reducing noise," Ms Andrews said.
"RMS is continuing to collate the results from the second community survey and will make them available shortly.
"RMS is considering the Tumney Consulting comments and will discuss any feedback with the submitting group.
"The noise monitoring and associated modelling have been carried out in line with the relevant standards and guidelines, and have been reviewed and approved by agencies including NSW Environment Protection Authority.
The approved report shows the actual noise levels are consistent with the predicted noise levels, with no further mitigation measures required."
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Ute Schulenberg
Journalism was always my plan but plans being what they are, I did not get to realise it until my early 40s ... and have loved every minute since. For me community journalism is the most intimate and honest place to be in this field - telling the stories of people I live with, side-by-side, every day. It is an honour.
Journalism was always my plan but plans being what they are, I did not get to realise it until my early 40s ... and have loved every minute since. For me community journalism is the most intimate and honest place to be in this field - telling the stories of people I live with, side-by-side, every day. It is an honour.
